So much fighting. It’s all around us, surrounding us, impossible to escape. We see it in the news, we see it on the streets, we see it at work and for many, the fight is focused at home. A very sad part of the sinful human nature we all possess is that we fight. Some love to fight more than others but eventually, we will all fight. Husbands fight with wives, sons and daughters fight with parents, employees fight with bosses, neighbors fight with other neighbors, students fight other students, and even church members fight with their pastor. And in a real choice bit of irony, as a nation we pay great money to watch men get into a ring and fight each other. Not a far cry from the gladiators of ancient Rome, that in their deadly combat, were considered the best entertainment of the day. Fighting is in the DNA of mankind.
So, I guess the real question is, if you’re going to fight, who or what are you going to choose to fight? You know it’s your choice. Many people falsely believe that they must fight something…but there’s always a choice of where to aim your fight. Just like the boxers in that ring, you must choose to step through the ropes and climb into that ring to fight. So, what’s high on your list of fights today? What works you up so much that you’re ready to fight at the drop of a hat? Some people feel this way about their property. Step on my land and you’ll get a fight. Some people feel this way about the government. Whatever the government says, they are ready to take the polar opposite stance and they get ready for a fight. In this same vein, tons of people are standing at attention, ready for the call to fight over politics. If the wrong candidate or issue comes up, so do the fists.
You know, the funny thing about fighting is that it’s not easy. I’ve never been in many real fist fights in my life, but I have been in tons of good natured wrestling matches with my older brothers. And let me tell you something, fighting and wrestling is tough business. Even in the great shape of my youth, a good fight would have me huffin’ and puffin’ in no time. When we choose to fight, it expends so much energy. And beyond just physically, let’s talk about mentally. As adults, the fights we choose are mostly in this arena. We think, process, and even obsess, over our fights. We are constantly on guard, ready to fight with anyone that hits our hot topic button. As a result, we are always mentally tired from the constant psychological training to get ready for our fight. As you consider all of these costly components of fighting, it reminds me of the great quote from the movie Roadhouse. Patrick Swayze is a philosophy educated bouncer and his hobby is cleaning up the worst bars in the land. As a result, there’s lots of fighting (which we love in our movies, right?) and at one point as he’s getting stitched up after a knife fight, he’s asked if he won the fight. He responds, “nobody wins a fight.” Considering the true costs of fighting, very true, Mr. Swayze.
So far in the Old Testament we’ve seen plenty of fighting. The Israelites have fought with the peoples of Jericho, Ai, Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, Eglon, Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Debir, Goshen, Madon, Shimron, Achshaph, Chinneroth, Napthoth-dor, Canaan, Amorite, Hittite, Perrizite, Jebusite and Hivite. That’s a lot of fighting. And folks, there’s more. But in a strange twist today we see a different kind of fighting that brings up a great point about the very spirit of fighting. If you run out of people to fight, will you stop fighting or will you just find a new foe?
That’s exactly what we see as the Israelites, through the power of God and the leadership of Joshua, have conquered most all of the promised land. Since there’s nobody left to fight, the very tribes of God begin to fight each other. A true testament that our human nature simply desires to fight. Our opponent seemingly unimportant as long as the fight can go on. Let’s see what the ruckus today is about.
“The men of Ephraim were called to arms, and they crossed to Zaphon and said to Jephthah, “Why did you cross over to fight against the Ammonites and did not call us to go with you? We will burn your house over you with fire.” And Jephthah said to them, “I and my people had a great dispute with the Ammonites, and when I called you, you did not save me from their hand. And when I saw that you would not save me, I took my life in my hand and crossed over against the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into my hand. Why then have you come up to me this day to fight against me?” Judges 12:1-3
There’s irony and then there’s irony. The tribe of Ephraim is looking for a fight with the current judge of Israel, Jephthah, because he didn’t invite them to fight the Ammonites too. Wow, a fight because of not getting to fight. Come on, that’s funny. But beyond the humor of the situation, it is truly heartbreaking. A people that God intended to be united in His name has now not only reverted to disobedience in Him, but they are fighting each other instead of their true enemies. And folks, herein lies a lesson for us today that should cut to the bone. Today, are you fighting the real enemy, or are you picking a fight with another of God’s tribes?
Fighting within the church is nothing new. Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jeremiah all openly spoke about the problem. It blossomed as soon as the church was created in Acts 11 and has continued ever since. The hearts of people want to fight, and within the body of Christ it is no different. But what’s funny is the basis for some of the fights. This list was from a Twitter survey of church leaders that were encouraged to share the cause of some of the recent fights within their churches. Listen to some of the reasons people are willing to lace up the gloves and fight with their pastor, their church staff or other church members.
Temperature in the worship center, the song selections on Sunday, the length of the Pastor’s beard, the color of the carpet, whether or not to remove a clock in the worship center, a picture of Jesus in the foyer being moved, cran-grape was used for communion instead of pure grape juice, the brand of coffee used, should “deviled-eggs” be allowed to be served at church, who can use the copy machine, offering gluten free communion wafers. And in one that takes the cake, some church members left the church because one church member hid the vacuum cleaner from them. It resulted in a major fight and split within the church. Wow. If we can’t find a fight, we’ll create one.
Folks, be careful who you’re willing to fight today. The real enemy is clear. There is a fight that all believers in Jesus Christ should be ready and willing to engage in today. There is one that seeks to destroy the Kingdom of God and His followers. That is where our fight should be focused. And if we lose that focus and misdirect our fights to within the body of Christ, then the evil one has already won the fight. Today, fight the fight of telling the world about the precious, life-saving blood of Jesus Christ. In doing so you will get all the fight you could ever want. Satan will not merely stand by and let you proclaim the name of Jesus freely. There will be great opposition, but the fight is worth it. People deserve to hear about Jesus, and it’s our job to simply go and tell.
Today, focus your fight where it really matters and refuse to waste your energy on “foolish and stupid arguments.”
“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” 1 Tim 2:23-26
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